President appeals for turnout at constitutional referendum

During a meeting with voters in Maków Mazowiecki (central Poland) on Wednesday, President Andrzej Duda appealed for a high turnout for an autumn-scheduled constitutional referendum. Andrzej Duda stressed that constitutional changes will safeguard Poland's reforms.

Duda observed that changes to the Polish constitution would help build Poland's strength in the years to come, and said that he wanted Poland to be an ever-stronger country.

"I would like to see (the state - PAP) become increasingly stronger, for the authorities to support families. I would like there to be more pro-family programmes like the 500 Plus benefit, which has passed the test wonderfully and is functioning well. (...) This is why I decided to carry through a consultative referendum on the constitution," Andrzej Duda said.

President Duda stressed that a high turnout at the referendum was very important because it concerned "vital issues" which Poles should "take into their own hands." (PAP/KG)